Power Steering Gear: Removing

-- Remove the driver side storage compartment. Refer to Removal and Installation .

-- Remove the seal -2- out of the bulkhead boot and from the universal joint.

Fig 1: Identifying Gasket, Bolt, And Bulkhead Boot

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-- Remove the boot -3- from the steering gear and the plenum chamber bulkhead.

NOTE:

If the bulkhead boot -3- is damaged, always install a new one.

-- Remove the bolt -1- and remove the universal joint from the steering gear pinion.

An assembly aid is required so that the upper and lower parts of the steering column do not pull apart when removing the steering gear.

NOTE:

If the upper and lower sections of the steering column are pulled too far apart or pushed too close together, the splines separate.

There may be rattling later if the splines are not in their original installation position.

-- Secure universal joint -2- with a cable tie -A- to the steering column.

Fig 2: Identifying Universal Joint And Cable Tie

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Affects Vehicles with Air Suspension

-- Place the vehicle on a hoist. Refer to POSITIONING VEHICLE ON HOIST AND WHEELS .

Affects All Vehicles

-- Remove wheel trim cap, remove cover cap on light-alloy wheels (removal hook in vehicle tool kit).

-- Remove front wheels.

-- Remove the left and right front wheel housing liners. Refer to Removal and Installation .

-- Remove noise insulation. Refer to Description and Operation .

-- The heat shield -1- does not need to be removed.

Fig 3: Identifying Heat Shield And Nut

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Applies to the Audi S6

-- Remove the engine. Refer to ENGINE, REMOVING .

Applies to the Audi RS 6

The heat shield -2- has a hole that makes it easier to get to the threaded connection on the steering gear. It is therefore not necessary to remove the metal plate -2-.

Affects All Vehicles

-- Remove the lower nuts -3- from the steering gear heat shield -2- (above the left catalytic converter).

-- Lower vehicle.

-- Remove engine cover.

-- Remove the coolant reservoir -arrows- and move it to the side. Do not open the coolant system.

Fig 4: Identifying Coolant Reservoir

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-- Remove the bolt -4- and the upper nut -3- from the steering gear heat shield -2- inside the engine compartment.

Fig 5: Identifying Heat Shield And Nut

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-- Push the heat shield -2- to the side over the transmission.

-- Remove the locking bolt -arrow- on the steering gear.

Fig 6: Identifying Locking Bolt On Steering Gear

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-- To remove the locking bolt, insert the tool -arrow- from the top between the engine and the plenum chamber.

Fig 7: Guiding Tool From Above Between Engine And Plenum Chamber

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-- Center the steering gear. Refer to CENTERING STEERING .

-- Clamp off suction and return hose using 3094.

Fig 8: Pinching Off Intake Line And Return Line Using Hose Clamps 3094

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-- Remove the expanding rivet -1- and the nut -2- and then remove the left and right trim -arrow- inside the wheel housing.

Fig 9: Identifying Expanding Rivet, Nut, And Trim

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-- Remove the cable guide -arrow- in the left wheel housing.

Fig 10: Identifying Cable Guide In Left Wheel Housing

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-- Remove the bolts -1 and 2- and the tie rod end.

Fig 11: Identifying Bolts

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-- Remove tie rod downward out of steering arm or press out.

NOTE:

Do not use a chisel or similar tool between the steering arm -1- and the tie rod ball joint sealing washer -2- when removing the tie rod or the sealing washer could be damaged.

Fig 12: Identifying Steering Arm & Tie Rod Ball Joint Sealing Washer

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Tie rod may only be pressed off steering arm over tie rod ball joint pin ends or driven with a wooden or rubber hammer.

-- Place a cloth under separation point to absorb escaping hydraulic oil.

-- Remove the banjo bolt -1- and secure the pressure hose on the wheel bearing housing.

Fig 13: Banjo Bolts & Steering Gear Bolt

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-- Remove the banjo bolt -2- with a bent open end wrench, for example Hazet 615.

-- The bolt -3- is located behind the banjo bolts -1 and 2-, depending on the engine version, can be removed from the steering gear from underneath.

NOTE:

The illustration shows the bolt -3- from inside.

-- Remove the steering gear bolt -3-.

Fig 14: Identifying Bolt For Steering Gear

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1 -Left catalytic converter

2 -Drive

-- Remove the bolt -arrow- for the left steering gear in the plenum chamber.

Fig 15: Identifying Bolt For Steering Gear In Plenum Chamber

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-- If equipped, remove the dome brace -1-. Refer to TOWER BRACE .

Fig 16: Identifying Dome Brace And Bracket

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-- Remove the bracket -2- with the heating valves.

WARNING:

The valve unit is flushed with coolant and can heat up to 120°.

-- Remove the bolt -arrow- for the right steering gear in the plenum chamber.

Fig 17: Identifying Bolt For Steering Gear In Plenum Chamber

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NOTE:

Two technicians are required for the next steps.

-- Guide the steering gear slightly to the left.

-- Guide the drive gear past the coolant hose located in the center of the engine compartment.

-- Now guide the steering gear one more time as far as possible to the left until the servotronic connector is accessible.

Steering Gear with Separate Connector

Fig 18: Identifying Cable Tie And Harness Connector

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-- Remove the cable tie -2-.

-- Disconnect the harness connector -1-.

If the steering gear is being replaced, the replacement steering gear is supplied with the integrated connector. The wiring harness connector must be adapted to the steering gear.

Steering Gear with Integrated Connector

Fig 19: Identifying Harness Connector

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-- Disconnect harness connector -arrow-.

Continuation for All Vehicles

-- Move the steering gear to the left and remove it.